Thanks for stopping by for another round of health vs. hype. I’m answering questions you guys submitted via Instagram a few weeks ago. If you don’t see a health trend you have questions about, try searching the blog for it as I’ve done about 4-5 of these posts in the past covering a lot of hot topics.
FYI these are my opinions on the trends you submitted based on the research I’ve reviewed. Many of these hot topics are controversial and there is a lot of conflicting evidence out there, so I always encourage you to do your own research and talk to your doctor before starting anything new if you have any concerns.
GREEN POWDER JUICES: I’ll list the form of greens from most nutritious to least….whole greens (fresh, frozen, canned), fresh green juices, then green powders. Juices and powders are both low in fiber, so should not be considered a replacement for whole vegetables that do provide a good dose of daily fiber. Juices can be higher in sugar and carbs if made with fruits, but powders tend to be lower in sugar esp. if just greens in the powder. Powders can be a decent source of micronutrients you would get from those green vegetables, but you will still absorb those vitamins and minerals better if in the form of whole food. Also not all powders are created equal. Avoid powders that contain fillers such as lecithin, fibers, pectin, rice bran, etc.
Verdict: I think there are health benefits of consuming a good quality green powder. It’s not always realistic to eat fresh green veggies daily with all of your meals, or juicing a fresh green juice. A powder is very easy way to get in a lot of health benefits and can be a nice addition to your diet. I would never considered this a meal replacement or replacement for whole greens FYI. I really like the green juice formula Organifi offers and I personally know it tastes good. No added sugars or bulky fillers. You can use our code CHAMPAGNE to save 15% 😉
SEED CYCLING: I did an entire post on seed cycling here and tried it for a while when I was trying to support my fertility goals. I did not do it long enough to say if I personally noticed a difference (I was doing SO many other things it felt like too much to add to my routine, but alone it’s pretty simple).
Verdict: There are no clinic studies to support the efficacy of seed cycling, but some women swear by this practice. There are no side negative side effects because it’s just consuming healthy seeds at different points of your cycle, so no real risk involved. For this reason I would say this is can be a healthy practice to add to your routine with potential positive health benefits to support:
- hormone imbalance
- irregular menstrual cycle
- PMS symptoms – cramping, breast tenderness, acne, painful periods…
- amenorrhea (lack of period)
- infertility
- conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and ovarian cyst
COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS: There is so much confusing information out there on collagen, right?! Let’s start with what is collagen…collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is a key constituent of all connective tissues. While it’s not an essential amino acid, it is a protein our bodies produce naturally, but it’s production declines as we age. Therefore, consuming a high quality collagen is said to have many positive health benefits such as: support bone & joint health, help encourage muscle mass, boost gut health, strengthen immune function, strengthen hair & nails, promote skin elasticity.
Verdict: IMO I think consuming collagen is healthy and could have potential health benefits, but not the cure all it claims to be. You can also get collagen from food sources by eating a protein rich diet along with Vitamin C rich foods to help the collagen building process.
While I do take collagen almost daily, it wouldn’t be the top supplement I spend my $$ on if I had to choose. Quality is key! There is chatter about heavy metals in collagen supplements, so check out this article and scroll to the last page to see where your supplement falls on the list.
EATING BASED ON YOUR CYCLE: I researched this topic a lot when I was trying to increase my fertility and improve hormone balance. I bought this book and Alisa Vitti is the real expert in the cycle syncing method. I listened to her on a few podcast, and found this episode helpful to really understand the cycle syncing method.
Verdict: Health. It make a lot of sense when you start to learn about the cycle syncing method. Unlike men, women’s bodies really do change 4 x month throughout our cycle and it makes sense to eat certain foods at certain times to support and balance hormones.
DAIRY FREE: Ah the dairy controversy. Dairy is an easy and convenient source of protein, calcium, fat (if whole milk dairy), Vitamin D and A and also contains riboflavin, niacin, potassium, pantothenic acid, and phosphorous. All of these nutrients are very important, but can come from other dietary sources than dairy. Therefore, dairy is not essential for a healthy diet.
Verdict: The research is honestly mixed on dairy, but I don’t think dairy is neither a hero or a villain. I believe a healthy diet can include good quality dairy in moderation unless you have an intolerance, allergy, or other health/medical reason you should avoid dairy. Quality is very important when it comes to dairy and organic is ideal when consuming milk, cheese, or yogurt products. I personally limit dairy due to acne issues when I’m not pregnant, but when I’m pregnant I crave dairy rich foods and listen to my body.
TURMERIC SUPPLEMENTS: There are a lot of turmeric products on the market these days that tout all sorts of health benefits. I think we are most drawn to the claims about how it can help combat oxidative stress and decrease inflammation. There is no denying that adding more spices like turmeric to your diet can be beneficial, but it’s a little more tricky when it comes to supplements because there are so many on the market and they aren’t regulated by the FDA. Therefore, I encourage you to do your research before choosing a supplement.
Verdict: Overall, supplements appear safe for most people, so if it’s something you’re interested in and experiment with it. However, there can be some negative side effects for some- esp. in larger doses. In large amounts it can cause an upset stomach. If you’re on blood thinners like warfarin consult with your doctor before starting a turmeric supplement. Also talk to your doctor is you’re pregnant before starting this supplement.
SOY: Another very controversial one. I think this article does a great job breaking down the potential health benefits and addresses the concerns many have about soy.
Verdict: Personally soy is neutral to me. It is not something I go out of my way to include or avoid in my diet. If a yummy recipe calls for tofu or soy beans I will add it. Sometimes a soy latte tastes so much better than a almond milk latte and I’ll order that. However, it’s not something I consume daily or even weekly. Like most things, I believe it is something to be consumed in moderation…a handful of times a week is fine! There is not a lot of strong research to back up the health concerns related to soy intake, but do your own research and make the choice that you’re most comfortable with.
xx, A
